EFCI's Circle Presentation

BACKGROUND

The European Union is of concern to all cleaning contractors whatever their size may be. Indeed, whether or not they operate on an international scale, cleaning contractors are directly concerned by a whole range of measures, legislative or not, adopted by the European Union. To quote two of the most significant examples, one will retain:

Social policy and vocational training that are of direct relevance to the human resources management of all companies;

Regulatory acts related to the public procurement procedures which directly result from European directives.

Moreover, it is striking to note that, although contractors evolve in a relatively contrasting national context, the industry is confronted with challenges of very comparable nature in all European countries. Therefore the companies have a lot to gain through exchanges of experiences and of good practices among them.

OBJECTIVES

In this context, the EFCI Circle offers to the companies’ executives a European platform of information, of discussions and of exchanges of experiences on subjects essential to the good development of our industry at European level.

Besides a direct access to European information relevant to the industry, Circle members benefit, thanks to such a platform and informal contacts, from an enlarged scope of references by comparing their respective ideas and experiences.

The EFCI itself benefits from these long-term reflections enabling it to be in an even better position to anticipate the major evolutions of the industry in Europe and thus participating in the elaboration of a general framework which favours a positive development.

ACTIVITIES

Since 2009, the Circle organises one meeting per year in the form of thematic seminars of information and exchanges with the participation of experts and/or policy makers within the European Institutions directly concerned by the addressed subjects. The subjects tackled to date have covered issues as varied as:

Freedom of movement of services in the internal market (March 2002) / the systems of recruitment procedures (October 2002)

Prevention of occupational stress (March 2004) / the freedom of movement of workers in an enlarged Europe (November 2004)

The development of daytime cleaning (April 2005) / a reflection on the state of the cleaning industry (October 2005)

The image of the cleaning industry (April 2006) / Avian Flu and the effects of a possible pandemic and health & safety in the Cleaning Industry (November 2006)

The EU Services Directive, the free movement of labour in the EU and its implications for the Cleaning Industry (April 2007) / Legal and illegal immigration in Europe (November 2007)

Flexicurity and its implications for the Cleaning Industry (April 2008) / Evaluation of the state of the Cleaning Industry in Europe (November 2008)

Global state of play of the Cleaning Industry (September 2009)

Sustainable Development in the Cleaning Industry (September 2010)

Cleaning companies' strategies during the economic crisis 2008-2009 and the economic recovery since 2010 (September 2011)

CSR and sustainable development in public procurements (September 2012)

Sustainable competitiveness in the cleaning industry (September 2013)

Renewed European Parliament and Commission - what is in for business services (June 2014)

People and Businesses in the Cleaning Industry (September 2015)

Furthermore, Circle members are entitled to participate in the EFCI's General Assemblies (with right to speak but without right of vote) as well as attending the dinners organised the preceding day. Through the EFCI Extranet, they finally have access to a wide range of information concerning the European policy development of the sector as well as national information made available by the EFCI members.

MEMBERSHIP CONDITIONS

The Circle is open to all cleaning contractors established in a European country (EU or non-EU member). It is also open to any organisation having a direct link to the sector (training centres, technical and professional study centres, regional organisations, etc.).

The annual membership fee is 500 Euro. This covers documentation and postage, costs with respect to the organisation of the meetings (except travel and accommodation), as well as the participation in the dinner preceding the EFCI General Assembly (two persons per company).

Membership conditions for companies or organisations established in a country where the EFCI has a member (see EFCI's member list), are defined by the professional federation concerned to which the applications should be addressed.

Membership applications of companies or organisations established in another European country (including non-EU) must be sent, along with a brief description of the company and its activities, directly to the EFCI Secretariat. In this case, it is the EFCI Board of Directors who decides on the membership. The company or the organisation is informed of the decision and membership takes effect immediately after payment of the membership fee.

Furthermore, the companies wishing to do so may ask to be invited to participate in a seminar as day delegates against payment of a day fee (350€ per delegate per meeting and dinner).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information, to receive a copy of the Internal Rules of the Circle or to address a request for membership, please contact either your national professional federation directly (EFCI member) or the EFCI Secretariat at the following address: